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MV Agusta

motorcycle manufacturer

The story of Agusta began in 1907, when Count Giovanni Agusta, a Sicilian aristocrat who was fond of flying, founded the Aeronautical Construction company Giovanni Agusta. Enrolled in aviation, he moved to the north where he established his company in Cascina Costa (Varese).
The production of airplanes knows a real boom during the Great War.

At the death of Count Giovanni, in 1927, his wife Giuseppina and his son Domenico succeeded him. After the end of the war the aeronautical sector underwent a sharp decline, and Domenico decides to diversify the production entering the motorcycles sector, without abandoning the aeronautical one.

At the end of the war, the production of airplanes is prohibited in Italy. Agusta is dedicated to the production of motorcycles.
In 1945 the MV was born, "Meccaniche Verghera". The first bike that bears the brand was to be called "Vespa", but the name had already been registered! It will go down in history as "MV 98".

After the first "MV 98", the "MV 98 Sport" model was born, with a 5-hp engine, telescopic fork, shorter chassis and improved maneuverability. Other models follow, more powerful and of increasing capacity. Sport success has repercussions on sales of standard motorcycles, more accessible sports models.

In 1949 the MV brand scooter appeared, further expanding its offer. In 1953 sales reach and exceed the threshold of 20,000 units. In the same year the company opened a factory in Spain with a license for international exports.

In 1955, ignoring the signs of a new aviation crisis, Agusta challenges the markets and buys the licenses for the production of Bell helicopters. The racing bikes that become practically unbeatable also benefit from this further advance of advanced technology.

The MV was able to make use of the best pilots like Jhon Surtees who in 1956, first led the MV to win the world title in the 500 class.

At the beginning of the 1960s, with the advent of the "economic boom", the use of the automobile was affirmed and the consequent reduction in the sales of motorcycles. Agusta's response is to offer more innovative and sophisticated models for enthusiasts. Winning move thanks to the victories obtained on the track by the MV.

In 1964 Bruno Spaggiari is Italian Champion of the 125 class with the MV 125 Bialbero.

In 1965 the most famous and victorious association of the history of motorcycling began, between Giacomo Agostini and the legendary three-cylinder MV. In his career, "Ago" won 311 races, including 125 world events and 10 Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man. He has won 13 world titles in addition to 18 Italian titles. The latest career victory of Agostini, always riding a MV is 1976 at the Nürburgring.

Also in 1965, Mike Hailwood, one of the greatest drivers of all time, inventor of the "frog" style for the way of being in the saddle with wide knees brings the MV 4 cylinders 500 to victory on the difficult path of the Tourist Trophy.

In 1972 Phil Read, already five times world champion wins his sixth title riding a MV. Known for being a lover of luxury, it was not uncommon to see him arrive at the circuits on a white Rolls Royce.

The absolute domination of Agostini and the MV on the circuits of the whole world goes on for most of the 70s.
After the death of Count Domenico, in 1971, the company went through a difficult period. There is a lot of uncertainty about the future.
On August 29, 1976, at the Nürburgring circuit, Agostini took the MV 500 to victory. The last one, both for him and for the house. Now on the road to decline, the company continues with reduced production and heavily scaled investments in racing.
The last motorcycle leaves the Cascina Costa hangars in 1980.

MV Agusta was acquired in 1992 by Claudio Castiglioni's Cagiva, who started producing motorcycles 12 years earlier on the shores of Lake Varese in the locality of Schiranna, after taking over the suffering Aermacchi-Harley-Davidson. The MVs are still in the hearts of true motorcycle enthusiasts, and success is immediate.

At the time, Ducati was among the acquisitions of Claudio Castiglioni. With the well-known brand, now outside the Cagiva galaxy, a new myth of motorcycling is born: the "naked". Dubbed "Monster", according to the urban legend, because of the cartoon characters that were in the chips of a famous brand. It seems that the son of the designer of the bike, Galluzzi, those chips really liked it a lot.

Claudio Castiglioni is an entrepreneur of great insight and vision, with a real passion for racing. Protagonist of the revival of the sector in Italy, expands production and invests in research and development and racing. After his untimely death in 2011, he was succeeded by MV son Giovanni. The latter defends the traditional values ‚Äč‚Äčof the company such as craftsmanship, design and advanced technologies.
Under his guidance MV creates real motorcycle icons such as the Brutale, the most beautiful naked ever, and the F3, the supersport par excellence. Giovanni is also a pioneer, and sets up collaborations with the research center Pirelli and with the three times Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, for the creation of unique motorcycles, authentic collector's pieces.
A roaring tradition that continues today, on the banks of the tranquil waters of Lake Varese.

Always a company mission is to design, develop and build the most advanced motorcycles in the world. Design icons created with cutting-edge materials and technologies respecting the values ‚Äč‚Äčof craftsmanship, innovation and dedication to excellence.